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Anne Hart, Ph.D.

Associate Professor of Pathology

Massachusetts General Hospital-East
MGH Cancer Center
149-7202 13th Street
Charlestown, MA 02129
Telephone: 617 726-5618
Fax: 617- 726-5637
Email: hart@helix.mgh.harvard.edu
Website: Hart Lab Page
Predocs: 1 Postdocs: 2 Completed PhD's: 2

 

We use the model organism C. elegans to elucidate conserved signaling pathways that are required in the adult nervous system. There are two main areas of research in the laboratory: behavior and neurological diseases.

Our previous analyses of C. elegans chemosensation, mechanosensation and locomotion have revealed that the conserved Notch signaling pathway plays a critical role in the adult nervous system. Published studies in other organisms suggest that Notch signaling may be important in memory and other behaviors. We find that changes in Notch activity in adult animals have dramatic effects on response to sensory stimuli and locomotion. Genetic and molecular studies in progress will help us identify targets of Notch signaling in adult neurons and to understand this new role for Notch signaling in the adult neurons in chemosensation, locomotion, sleep and hibernation

We have previously helped establish the utility of the C. elegans nervous system for dissecting the cellular pathways involved in neurodegenerative disease. Using our C. elegans model of Huntington’s polyglutamine toxicity, we are examining the role of specific signaling pathways in Huntington’s disease neurodegeneration. We are also using the genetic tools available in C. elegans to elucidate the cellular and molecular basis of cell death underlying Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA). Working in collaboration with the Artavanis-Tsakonas and Van Vactor laboratories, we are undertaking coordinated genetic studies in Drosophila and C. elegans to identify the pathways critical for SMA neurodegeneration.

 

References:

  • E.A. Bates, M. Victor, M.J. Alkema, A.K. Jones, Y. Shi, H.R. Horvitz, and A.C. Hart. 2006. Differential contributions of Caenorhabditis elegans histone deacetylases to huntingtin polyglutamine toxicity. Journal of Neuroscience 26: 2830-2838.
  • M.Y. Chao, J. Larkins-Ford, T.M. Tucey, and A.C. Hart. 2005. lin-12 Notch functions in the adult nervous system. BMC Neuroscience 6:45.
  • M.Y. Chao, H. Komatsu, and A.C. Hart. 2004. Feeding status and serotonin rapidly and reversibly modulate a C. elegans chemosensory circuit. PNAS 101:15512-17 (PNAS Track II).
  • H.S. Fukuto, D.M. Ferkey, A.J. Apicella, H. Lans, T. Sharmeen, W. Chen, R.J. Lefkowitz, G. Jansen, W.R. Schafer, and A.C. Hart. 2004. G Protein-Coupled Receptor Kinase Function Is Essential for Chemosensation in C. elegans. Neuron 42: 581-593.
  • P.W. Faber, C. Voisine, D.C. King, E. A. Bates, and A.C. Hart. 2002. Glutamine/proline-rich PQE-1 proteins protect C. elegans neurons from huntingtin polyglutamine neurotoxicity. PNAS 99:17131-17136. (PNAS Track II).